Cons

Bottom Line

A great choice for CRAs, this highly customizable platform can be white-labeled with any company's branding and integrates with the standard data providers.

18 May 2018

Accio Data is a little different from the other employment background check services we reviewed because it has a slightly different business model. The company focuses on being a software platform for Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRAs) that personalize the Accio user interface (UI) and sell its background checking services and integrations with other data providers and human resources (HR) software makers to HR department customers. Besides running Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)-compliant employment and hire searches, Accio Data services CRAs that run FCRA-compliant searches for collections, credit checks, insurance underwriting, licensing eligibility, and tenancy purposes. Because of this difference and some limited-resource provisions, Accio Data stays behind Checkr and GoodHire, our two Editors' Choice winners in our employment background check service review roundup.

Because of its slightly different business model, Accio Data's pricing reflects large-volume screenings at wholesale prices, unlike the other vendors we reviewed. The company charges CRAs one $2,995 setup fee and monthly maintenance fees that begin at $550 for 750 components per month. A component is a type of check or screen. For needs not covered by those monthly costs, each component will cost the CRA based on volume, ranging between 37 cents and 41 cents per order.

Aside from its impact on pricing, Accio Data's business model also has a positive impact on its integration capabilities. Accio Data uses open Extensible Markup Language (XML) specs, which makes it easy for it to build integrations for a CRA that may have a client using a particular applicant tracking system (ATS) or HR management software product. Currently, it integrates with the Oracle Taleo Recruiting Cloud Service and the iCIMS ATS as well as several others. The company says it will also build integrations for CRAs to their preferred data collection and drug testing vendors.

Using Accio Data

Unlike some other vendors we reviewed, Accio Data's UI is white-labeled so users usually don't know they're using the company's software. CRAs customize the UI background by using their own color schemes and branding. This can be particularly helpful if you have applicants filling in their own data since they will probably be more comfortable if they recognize the branding as that of the company to which they have applied.

Because it's usually rebranded, Accio Data doesn't go to a lot of trouble to overly design its UI and that has factored into this review. Drop-down menus, including Admin, Basic Ordering, Docs & Forms, Log-In, and Reports, appear across a horizontal navigational bar in light gray against a white background that uses a medium blue for accents and borders. In terms of documents, resources, and forms, Accio Data provides Applicant Release Forms, a Demo, a Quick Start Guide, a User Guide, and a FCRA rights disclosure. This was not nearly as complete and comprehensive a Resource Center as some other vendors provided, especially Checkr and GoodHire.

Test Results

I approached the testing process from the perspectives of a hiring manager and a candidate. The HR manager workflow offers two options for obtaining the basic required disclosures and authorizations for the release of applicant data. With the first option, employers can send the applicant an email invitation and have candidates sign the authorization forms and input their own data. With the second option, employers can obtain the signed authorization and input the applicant's data themselves. I opted to send the applicant an email invitation.

An essential feature in an employment background check service is being able to get data accurately inputted before the information is processed. In this case, I found that Accio Data's service validated the data while I entered it. For example, if the social security or date of birth was not in the proper format, the software prompted me to correct it. If it processed a driver's license, then the software validated it for that state's correct format.

The Reports drop-down menu brought up a list with all of the candidates' names and the background checks that had been ordered for all individuals; it also gave me a color-coded overview status of each. Clicking an individual's name gave me details on that candidate. For employers, the software automatically masks or truncates some sensitive information, such as social security numbers and dates of birth. Different settings allow for further customization and visibility between sets of users. This is an advantage for HR departments that want some users to place orders but not be able to view results.

This software conducts many of the same standard screenings as the other products, but it also offers a social media check, which mainly searches an applicant's social media footprint for standout entries that could trip HR flags for its customers. Few vendors provide this check given the compliance issues they can present. Out of the other products reviewed in this roundup, only Editors' Choice winner Checkr and full-on HR software platform SterlingOne also provided this capability.

Integrations

Accio Data has built an accounting section into the platform that lets employers allocate the costs of each background check to specified cost centers with billing identifiers. Accio Data's system also has an adjudication matrix that lets end clients set up filters to include non-hiring items because CRAs don't want to be in the position of creating those filters. When there's a red flag, so to speak, the system will send an email message to designated client HR staffers, recommending they review the record.

From a CRA's perspective, the Accio Data software platform is highly customizable. The fact that the platform easily integrates with leading ATSes and HR software platforms as well as major data providers, and can also build custom integrations for CRAs that need it, will be a big plus for many companies.

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About the Author

Alyson Behr is a tech writer, editor, and strategic content consultant. With deep roots in testing, industry competitive analysis, and product reviews, Behr has written for numerous IT publications. As a strategic content development expert, Alyson founded and drove the development of Spirent Communication’s sponsored LabRat Magazine, the first publication devoted to the network test and measurement community. Currently, Behr is focused on product/service reviews and consulting to the IT industry. Follow her on Twitter @alysonbehr. See Full Bio